Laurel man arrested in connection to copper wire theft that disabled railroad line

LAUREL, Del. – Delaware State Police have charged a man after he reportedly stole copper wiring and disabled a railroad line.

Detectives began investigating a copper wire theft that took place earlier this month at the Carload Express railroad tracks in Laurel. It was discovered that an unknown suspect had cut and stolen copper wiring from a railroad safety system, causing more than $10,000 worth of damage and resulting in the railway being shut down for four days.

It was also learned that 49-year-old William Smallwood had sold the stolen copper wiring at a Seaford recycling center, and police say he matched the description of the suspect who was seen leaving the railroad tracks after the theft.

Tuesday afternoon, troopers arrested Smallwood at his residence. He was charged with criminal mischief over $5000, two counts of theft under $1500, two counts of falsifying business records, two counts of selling stolen property, two counts of third degree criminal trespass, and criminal mischief. He was later released on an $8,400 unsecured bond.